GL Events makes Abu Dhabi debut

Lyon-based GL events, an international provider of event solutions and services, has opened an office in Abu Dhabi and has launched its first local product for 2012 – Piscine Abu Dhabi – The professional pool and spa show for the Middle East; which will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre next April.

The company – which operates across three domains: event organisation, event venue management and the organisation of exhibitions, trade fairs conventions, conferences and events – says it’s planning to become one of the leading professional conference organisers in the UAE capital.

“We have key international contacts in the industry and are working to attract them to bring their shows and conferences here,” said Yann Roubert, Middle East Director, GL events.

“Piscine Abu Dhabi 2012 is an initial step in what we have in store for Abu Dhabi where we are looking to bring major congresses, live events, including sports events and celebrations.”

Abu Dhabi becomes the 90th office on the GL events’ global network which currently employs 3,500 people worldwide.

Yann Roubert says the company is looking to work closely with Abu Dhabi government departments to expand itsUAE capital activities in line with Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision.

“We have eight international congresses in line for Abu Dhabi some of which will bring up to 12,000 delegates to the emirate, added Roubert.
GL events – which has annual revenue of $1bn and an events portfolio of more than 250 B2B and B2C trade shows across 12 sectors, including sports events such as the FIFA World Cup, World Rugby Cup, Asian Football Cup in Qatar and the Commonwealth Games has a Middle East portfolio of events in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

“The Middle East is one of our group’s strategic growth areas and we have met with key industry representatives who gave us great confidence in Abu Dhabi,” said Christophe Draye, Director of GL events Middle East’s Abu Dhabi office.

And Christophe Draye to add: “We see the main growth areas for Abu Dhabi’s event industry lying in the environment, energy, transport, sports, life sciences and healthcare fields. The emirate is a place where you can link education with development and we find there’s a need for professional development in the events and conference industry and where we can bring our international expertise to bear. The exhibition and conference infrastructure is very attractive and the time is right to leverage it.”